Connect the free end of the VOLTRA I cable back to the rack, just below the VOLTRA I, and the handle feels about twice as heavy. Here's how that works.
When the free end of the VOLTRA I cable is attached back to the rack, just below the VOLTRA I, with a doubling Mount, a strap, or another attachment, the cable path becomes a simple 2:1 system. You feel roughly twice the force at the handle for a given setting on the VOLTRA I, up to the rated limit of the Mount you are using.
This guide is a short helper for that idea. For product choices and fit, see 2:1 Doublers Explained and Which Voltra Mount?
How it works (plain physics)
- Single path (no 2:1): The cable comes straight from the VOLTRA I to your handle. One strand carries the load, so what you feel is about what the device is set to.
- 2:1 path: The cable leaves the VOLTRA I, wraps around a pulley (the one your handle clips to), and the free end is attached back at the rack, just below the VOLTRA I, with a doubling Mount, a strap, or another attachment.
- What you feel: Now two strands of cable hold the pulley, and each one carries the tension the VOLTRA I is set to. Two strands pulling together means the force at the handle is about twice the device setting, again up to the rated limit of that setup.
It's the same idea as a block and tackle on a sailboat or a hoist: more strands holding the load, more force at the load.
That attached cable end just below the VOLTRA I is the key. Without it, you do not get the 2:1 advantage. If the end weren't attached to something solid, it would simply follow the handle, and you'd be back to one strand at 1:1.
What you feel vs what the motor sees
| Direct (1:1) | 2:1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Force at the handle | About the device setting | About 2 × the device setting |
| Cable tension the motor holds | The device setting | The device setting (unchanged) |
| Cable let out per inch of handle travel | 1 inch | About 2 inches |
| Cable speed at the motor vs handle speed | Same | About twice as fast |
- Heavier feel. The same setting feels about twice as heavy.
- Less range per length of cable. The motor lets out about twice as much cable as your handle moves, so the same cable gives you about half the range of motion. Plan your setup around the movements you do.
- About twice, not exactly. A pulley has a little friction, so the feel runs close to 2× rather than exactly 2×.
- The motor isn't working harder per strand. It holds the same tension it always does; it just moves faster and farther while the pulley shares the load across two strands.
What you can use for 2:1
Doubling Mounts and Doubler Plates share the same idea. Neither path is "better." Pick by whether you want a dedicated Mount or an upgrade on a Mount you already own.
Dedicated doubling Mounts
A true 2:1 path, up to 400 lbs felt on the product claim.
- Inline 2:1 Doubler: the VOLTRA I sits parallel with the upright the Mount is on.
- Cross 2:1 Doubler: the VOLTRA I sits perpendicular to the upright or crossmember.
- Omni Doubler: directional control (up, down, or straight out) plus 2:1 on each plane / each end.
Doubler Plate
A bolt-on upgrade under the DIY Dock of a compatible Mount you already own. Once installed on a compatible Mount, it carries the same up to 400 lbs felt claim. Pick the plate type that matches your Mount; the Doubler Plate page lists them.
Other Mounts
- Single Pin Tight Spot: With a lifting eye in its center M10 × 1.5 thread (lifting eye not included), and used with another Mount, the Single Pin Tight Spot can create a 2:1 cable path. It's a handy option, but it is not a dedicated doubler product.
- Omni Lite family (Omni Lite Inline / Omni Lite Cross): doubling is not included as a feature. If you want 2:1, look at the dedicated doubling Mounts or a Doubler Plate on a compatible Mount.
Push pins are not included. Match 1" or 5/8" to your rack before you buy.
Safety and limits
- Follow every rating: the product page, the install guide, your rack's ratings, and any hardware (carabiners, lifting eyes) in the load path. The lowest-rated part sets your limit.
- Anchor the cable end only to an attachment rated for the doubled load: a doubling Mount, a strap, or another attachment connected to the rack just below the VOLTRA I. Don't attach it to loose hardware, thin accessories, or anything that can slip or bend.
- Confirm pin size and Mount fit first. A wrong hole size or an unsteady Mount isn't a doubling problem; it's a fit problem.
- Check before each session that the cable is seated in the pulley, the cable end is secure, and nothing rubs or kinks.
- If something feels wrong (a Mount that creeps, bent hardware, an odd cable angle), stop and check the setup before you load it further.
What you'll need (checklist)
- Beyond Power VOLTRA I
- A 3×3 rack with 1" or 5/8" holes. Not sure? Will This Voltra Mount Fit My Rack?
- A dedicated doubling Mount, or a compatible Mount plus a Doubler Plate
- A push pin sized to your rack (1" or 5/8", not included)
- A way to attach the cable end back at the rack, just below the VOLTRA I: a doubling Mount, a strap, or another attachment rated for the doubled load
- Your handle or attachment, as you normally train
- Optional: a DIY Dock where that option applies; a lifting eye when using the Single Pin Tight Spot in a 2:1 path with another Mount. Check each product page for what's included.
Ready to choose?
Still deciding? The full guide compares every 2:1 option side by side.
Voltra Mounts is independent of Beyond Power. Our Mounts are USA-made and designed for the VOLTRA I. Questions on fit? Email Support@voltramounts.com.